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Biden, Hinting at 2016, to Speak at Iowa Event

By Jonathan Martin August 11, 2013 5:19 pmAugust 11, 2013 5:19 pm

DES MOINES — Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. will be the keynote speaker at Senator Tom Harkin’s annual steak fry fund-raiser next month, a signature political event that often showcases as featured speakers those aspiring to be president.

Mr. Biden will speak after Mayor Julian Castro of San Antonio, according to a person familiar with the plans. Mr. Biden’s attendance is a sign, Democratic officials here say, that he wants Iowa voters to know he is very much considering another White House bid in 2016. A spokesman for Mr. Biden did not reply to requests for comment.

The gathering, to be held on Sept. 15 at a county fairgrounds south of Des Moines, underscores Mr. Biden’s effort to nurture ties in Iowa, which holds the first presidential nominating contest in the nation, and the other early-voting states. He spoke at a South Carolina Democratic dinner in May and will raise money this month for Gov. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire.

Mr. Biden has many longtime friends in Iowa, dating to 1988 and the first of his presidential runs. They include Mr. Harkin, a former Senate colleague. Mr. Biden attended the Iowa ball in Washington during the inauguration festivities this year and invited Democratic officials and activists from this state to his residence for a reception.

His decision to speak at Mr. Harkin’s 36th annual steak fry comes amid much anticipation about Hillary Rodham Clinton’s plans. Mrs. Clinton has not held any events in Iowa this year. But a forum convened here on Friday by the Democratic women’s group Emily’s List illustrated the hope among some party activists in Iowa that she would run for president again and not let her third-place finish in the state’s caucuses in 2008 dissuade her from beginning her bid in Iowa.

Mr. Harkin’s annual get-together has long been a proving ground for would-be presidents. Mr. Biden last attended in 2007, during his run for the 2008 Democratic nomination. It was also the venue in 2006 for the Iowa debut of a freshman Senator Barack Obama.

A version of this article appears in print on 08/12/2013, on page A11 of the NewYork edition with the headline: Iowa Speech Could Hint At Biden Run.

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